Writing instrument clip



April 4, 1 939. K. WEISSER WRITING INSTRUMENT CLIP Filed July 15, 1937 2Sheets-Sheet 1 TIL/ZT/PMOPL 95770 M? Tip/ 9.4

April 1939- l K. WEISSER 2,153,488

WRITING INSTRUMENT CLIP Filed July 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 g] r wvwtooA9094 We/ssoe JQMJ m Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE-WRITING INSTRUMENT CLIP Karl Weisser,

David Kahn,

Union City, N. J., assignor to Inc., North Bergen, N. J., a corporationof New Jersey Application July 15, 1937, Serial No. 153,829

15 Claims.

This invention relates to clips for writing instruments such as havetubular caps and particularly to clips for fountain pen caps.

More especially, the invention relates to means and methods of mountingclips on pen caps.

Fountain pen caps are commonly made from a thermoplastic material, suchas Celluloid, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, or equivalentmaterial of like character.

The walls of such caps are quite thin and can be penetrated by a pointedprong. It is usual practice in assembling clips and pen caps to providethe clips with a plurality of small prongs which are forced through thecap wall and have their inner ends riveted over.

One important object of the present invention ing clips to their walledtubular bodies.

A second important object of to provide a novel prong ing clips to pencaps.

the invention is arrangement for fasten- A third important object of theinvention is to provide a single prong arrangement of clip securingmeans, the single prong being of novel construction and adapted to lockin place without riveting.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide a novel prongarrangement for this purpose wherein the prong is so constructed as toafford a very secure and strong connection between the clip and cap.

claims.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate likeparts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank from which the improved clip isformed.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal median section through the clip in partlyformed condition, the

ball not being finished.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig; 2 but with the clip Figure 4 is arear face apply.

clip.

completely formed.

view of the clip ready to Figure 5 is a front face view of the completedFigure 6 is a side elevation showing the clip mounted on a pen cap.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken diametrically throughpart of a pen cap and showing the clip attached thereto.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary section on the longitudinal axis of a clip andshowing a modified prong.

Figure 9 is a section on the line 9--9 of Fig. '7.

Figure 10 is a section similar to Fig. 9 but showing a modified form ofclip.

Figure 11 is a detail section illustrating one method of applying a formof this clip.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the blank.

Figure 13 is a side View.

Figure 14 is a side elevation of the finished clip.

Figure 15 is a section of the finished clip.

Figure 16 is a rear elevation.

Figure 1'7 is a front elevation of a modified clip.

Figure 18 is a top plan View of the same.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 7 and 9, theclip is formed from a blank of thin sheet metal and has an elongatedbody l0 wider at its base it than at its: free portion l2. Preferably,the body In has eoncavely curved sides l3. At the end I2 the body isprovided with a pair of oppositely disposed segmentocircular ears ortabs l4 and a narrow tongue l5 projects from the end [2 on thelongitudinal median line of the clip.

A sagittate prong [6 projects from the bare end of the body, the neck ofthe prong being formed by simple semi-circular notches l'l. Extendinglongitudinally of the prong is a depression i8 stamped downwardly in themetal. This depression is deeper adjacent the body than at its other endso that there is formed a latching tooth having a slanting under face 19and an abrupt shoulder 20 at the end near the body.

In this form no part of this latch member is severed from the prong butin the form shown in Figure 8, the prong 2| is slit in U-shape so as toprovide a tongue 22 having its free end adjacent the body of the clipand pressed down to provide a stop shoulder 23.

In the form shown in Figure 10, the sagittate prong 24 has its neckformed by a pair of oppositely disposed semi-circular notches 25adjacent the body, and adjacent these notches is a second spacedparallel arrangement, as best seen in Figure 4. Also the sagittate prongis bent back to extend substantially at right angles to the body and thetongue I5 is similarly bent as in Figure 2. Then the tongue I5 is curvedupwardly as in Figure 3 and the clip is now ready for application to thecap.

To apply the clip the prong is forced through the side wall of the capC, the material of the cap yielding sufficiently to permit passage ofthe latch or stop l8 and then springing back to grip the neck of theprong as in Figure 7, the abrupt shoulder preventing retraction. In someinstances, however, it may be necessary to soften the cap in order tofacilitate the insertion of the prong. This may be effected by heat inthe case of a thermo-plastic material, or by use of a suit-' ablesolvent for the material. The cap ispreferably thickened at the upperportion thereof in order to enable the point 3| of the prong topenetrate a considerable distance into the cap material, and act as asupport.

The clip shown in Figure 8 is applied in the same manner, but here thetongue 22 may spring 4 for passage into the cap. In other words, the

tongue is bent upwardly so as not to hinder the entry of the prong whenthe prong is forced into the cap and springs back to prevent removal ofthe prong.

The method of application disclosed in Figure 11 is somewhat different.Here the clip is applied before the end of the cap is closed. Althoughthe prong is preferably of the type shown in Figure 8, this method maybe applied to the modifications shown in other figures of the drawingsas well. In either case, the tongue 22 or the depression I8 is eitherdepressed slightly or not at all before insertion in the cap. The tongueor depression may be defined or partially out before insertion, however.After insertion, the cap is placed on an anvil 2'! having an inclinedupper face portion 28 and a die 23 having an inclined lower face portion30 and is inserted above the prong and forced down to depress the tongue22 to locking position. In each case the point of the prong engages inthe cap wall opposite its entry opening,

The modification shown in Figures 12 to 18 inclusive is quite similar tothe other modifications. However, when the blank is stamped a portion ofthe prong proper is bent downwardly to form offset shoulders 32 whichslant upwardly to the center line of the prong. These shoulders serve tolimit the distance of entry of the prong into the cap. The tongue 33 issomewhat different than the tongue in the modification disclosed inFigures 1 to 7 inclusive, and that disclosed in Figure 8, inasmuch as itpossesses an offset portion 34. It functions quite similarly, however,and when it is inserted in the cap the end or shoulder 35, prevents theretraction of the prong from the cap. The prong in this modification ismade of some suitable spring metal possessing suficient resilience topermit the tongue to be flattened out when the prong is moved in aninsert direction. In this modification, a number of notches 36 areprovided to prevent the removal of the prong from the cap. The remainderof the clip is quite similar to the other modifications.

Irrespective of whether the first or second method of insertion is used,the clip is firmly held. The prong point 3| penetrates the cap C andservesas a means to prevent a rotational movement of the clip fasteningmeans in a plane longitudinal to the clip. The shoulders Na, 25 or 26aprevent a rotational movement of the clip fastening means in a planetransverse to the clip and shoulder 20 or shoulder 23 prevents thewithdrawal of the clip fastening means from the cap. There has thus beenprovided a clip fastener embodying .a means to prevent rotationalmovement in a plurality of planes as a twisting movement, and means toprevent removal of fasteners from the instrument to which the clip is mfastened.

It may be pointed out that the spring member 22, as shown in Figure 3,is made before the assembling of the clip to the pencil, fountain pen orother tubular member. and the clip, in accordance with the presentinvention, the spring member 22 or 33 is forced flush with the uppersurface of the prong when the clip or prong is pushed through the wallof the cap into place. The spring members or tongues 22 or 33 will thenspring back into their original position, thereby preventing the removalof the clip.

It may be noted that the clip, in accordance with the present invention,may be made of any suitable material which is sufficiently ductile to bebent by stamping into a suitable shape or that the clip may be cast ofany suitable material. The only criteria for the material is that it besufficiently ductile to be bent in the event that the clip and fastenerfor the clip is made by stamping operations and yet sufficiently stiffso that it may be driven easily into the cap of a pen or pencil. Asuitable material, for example may I be brass or a metallic alloy orsteel.

It may be further pointed out that in the modification disclosed inFigures 12 to 18 inclusive, there are a plurality of notches 36. Inaddition to preventing the removal of the clip fastener from the cap ofthe pen or pencil, these notches also function to facilitate theinsertion 40 of the prong member into the hollow tubular member in whichit is mounted.

I claim:

1. A clip for a tubular member comprising a clip body portion and a clipholding prong at an 4;)

angle to said body portion, said clip holding prong having a pointed endand being substantially straight and of sufficient rigidity to permitthe driving thereof through one wall of the tubular r member and intothe opposite wall during assem- 0 bly, and a shoulder on said prongpositioned to seat against the interior surface of the first mentionedwall to prevent removal of the prong from the tubular member.

- 2. A clip for a tubular member comprising a clip body portion and aclip holding prong at an angle to said body portion, said clip holdingprong having a pointed end and being substantiallystraight and ofsufficient rigidity to permit the driving thereof through one Wall ofthe tubular member and into the opposite wall during assembly, and meansto limit the entry of the prong into the tubular member.

3. A clip for a tubular member comprising a clip body portion and a clipholding prong at an angle to said body portion, said clip holding pronghaving a pointed end and being substan-, tially straight and ofsufficient rigidity to permit the driving thereof through one wall ofthe tubu- 7o lar member and into the opposite wall during assembly, andan oifset latching tooth on said prong having a shoulder positioned toseat against,

the interior surface of the first mentioned wall to i In assembling thecap 5 2,153,488 3 prevent removal of the prong from the tubular thedriving thereof through one wall of the tubumember. lar member and intothe opposite wall during 4. A clip for a tubular member comprising aassembly, and means to prevent the removal of clip body portion and aclip holding prong at an angle to said body portion, said clip holdingprong having a pointed end and being substantially straight and ofsufficient rigidity to permit the driving thereof through one wall ofthe tubular member and into the opposite wall during assembly, and anoffset latching tooth comprising a spring tongue partially severed fromthe prong and having a free end depressed from the plane of the prong,said free end being positioned to seat against the interior surface ofthe first mentioned wall to prevent removal of the prong from thetubular member and being adapted to spring into the plane of the prongduring assembly to permit the entry of the prong into the tubularmember.

5. A clip for a tubular member comprising a clip body portion and a clipholding prong at an angle to said body portion, said clip holding pronghaving a pointed end and being substantially straight and of sufiicientrigidity to permit the driving thereof through one wall of the tubularmember and into the opposite wall during assembly, and a shoulder onsaid body to limit the entry of the prong into the tubular member.

6. A clip for a tubular member comprising a clip body portion'and a clipholding prong at an angle to said body portion, said clip holding pronghaving a pointed end and being substantially straight and of sufficientrigidity to permit the driving thereof through one wall of the tubularmember and into the opposite wall dining assembly, and off-set shoulderson said body adapted to contact the outside surface of the tubularmember to limit the entry of the prong into the tubular member.

7. In a clip for a tubular structure including a body adapted to extendalong the structure and a sagittate prong projecting from one end of thebody for extension into the structure, said sagittate prong beingsubstantially straight and of suificient rigidity to permit the drivingthereof through one wall of the tubular member and into the oppositewall during assembly and having a neck portion adapted to be closelygripped by the structure wall at the point of entry, said prong having alatching tooth projecting therefrom adapted to lie within the tubularstructure to engage the first mentioned wall at the point of entry toprevent removal of the prong from the tubular structure.

8. In a clip for a tubular structure including a body adapted to extendalong the structure and sagittate prong projecting from one end of thebody for extension into the structure, said sagittate prong beingsubstantially straight and of suiiicient rigidity to permit the drivingthereof through one wall of the tubular member and into the oppositewall during assembly and having a neck portion adapted to be closelygripped by the structure wall at the point of entry, said prong having alatching tooth projecting therefrom adapted to lie within the tubularstructure to engage the first mentioned wall at the point of entry toprevent removal of the prong from the tubular structure, said toothbeing formed by a shouldered boss integral with the prong.

9. A clip for a tubular member comprising a clip body portion and a clipholding prong at an angle to said body portion, said clip holding pronghaving a pointed end and being substan- 7 tially straight and ofsufficient rigidity to permit the prong from the tubular member afterassembly, said means permitting the entry of the prong into the tubularmember during assembly.

10. A clip for a tubular member comprising a clip body portion and aclip holding prong at an angle to said prong having a pointed end andbeing substantially straight and of sufficient rigidity to permit thedriving thereof through one wall of the tubular member and into theopposite wall during assembly, means to limit the entry of the pronginto the tubular member and means to prevent the removal of the prongfrom the tubular member after assembly, said means permitting the entryof the prong into the tubular member dur ing assembly.

11. In combination, a tubular structure and a clip for said structureincluding a body member and a prong projecting from one end of the bodymember at one side thereof and provided with a pointed end, said pointedprong passing through and being firmly held in the wall of the tubularstructure at one side thereof and having 7 a driven fit in the wall ofthe tubular structure at a point substantially opposite the point ofentry, said prong having sufficient rigidity to permit assembly of. theclip with the tubular structure by forcing the pointed prong through thewall of said structure, and means to prevent the removal of the prongfrom the tubular structure after assembly, said means permitting theentry of the prong into the tubular structure during assembly.

12. In combination, a tubular structure and a clip for said structureincluding a body member and a prong projecting from one end of the bodymember at one side thereof and provided with a pointed end, said pointedprong passing through and being firmly held in the wall of the tubularstructure at one side thereof and having a driven fit in the wall of thetubular structure at a point substantially opposite the point of entry,said prong having sufficient rigidity to permit assembly of the clipwith the tubular structure by forcing the pointed prong through the wallof said structure, means to limit the entry of the prong into: thetubular structure, and means to prevent the removal of the prong fromthe tubular structure after assembly, said means permitting the entry ofthe prong into the tubular structure during assembly.

13. In combination, a tubular structure and a clip for said structureincluding a body member and a prong projecting from one end of the bodymember at one side thereof and provided with a pointed end, said pointedprong passing through and being firmly held in the wall of the tubularstructure at one side thereof and having a driven fit in the wall of thetubular structure at a point substantially opposite the point of entry,said prong having sufficient rigidity to permit assembly of the clipwith the tubular structure by forcing the pointed prong through the wallof said structure, and a shoulder on said prong positioned to seatagainst the interior surface of the tubular structure wall to preventremoval of the prong from the tubular structure.

14. In combination, a tubular structure, and a clip for said structureincluding a body member and a prong projecting from one end of the bodymember at one side thereof and provided with a pointed end, said pointedprong passing through body portion, said clip holding,

and being firmly held by a wall of said tubular structure in an openingin the Wall conforming in size and shape to said prong, said pronghaving a driven fit in the Wall of the tubular structure at a pointsubstantially opposite to the point of entry, said prong beingsubstantially straight and having sufiicient rigidity to permit assemblyof the clip with the tubular structure by forcing the pointed prongthrough the wall of the structure to form the aforementioned opening.

15. In combination, a normally imperforate walled tubular structure, anda clip for said structure including a body member extending of thetubular structure and for self-engagement 10 in the opposite portion ofsaid Wall.

KARL WEISSER.

